Directed by Lorna Mackie, Bad Girls – The Musical is based on the UK television series featuring female inmates in the fictional Her Majesty’s Prison Larkhall exploring their relationships in a variety of traumatic circumstances.
It follows new, idealistic Wing Governor Helen Stewart and her battles with the entrenched old guard Officer Jim Fenner and his sidekick Sylvia Hollamby.
A love story also develops between Helen and inmate Nikki Wade.
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READ NOWThe play is written by the authors of the television series, Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus, with music and lyrics by Kath Gotts.
Cruise plays Crystal Gordon, a Christian kleptomaniac.
“She believes everything she does is part of a higher power and that, even though she’s in jail for shoplifting, she’s better than all the others in with her,” she said.
“Bad Girls – The Musical appealed because it’s dark, funny, serious and light-hearted all at once.
“It has amazingly beautiful music that’s uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time.”
Mackie said she relished the opportunity to direct a show primarily about women.
“It explores a number of subjects such as violence, manipulation and more but from a very human perspective,” she said.